Buying this week advice please.

[E30RUNNER]

I'm sure you guys get lots of these questions but here it goes...

I found a 99 Limited White with tan leather 77k miles on it. It has been a one owner second garaged car it's whole life. He's had the following work done to it:

timing belt/ water pump
Radiator replaced
Ignition lock replaced
Transmission Flush
Tune up at 75K miles by a certified foreign car shop in Chicago
Has all the maint records for the work
The car just looks awesome you can really tell it's been really well looked after.

Anyway I've searched for rust can't find any in the under carriage but I did find a spot the size of a penny right under rear passenger window nothing a good buffing couldn't take care of.

Any other things I could be looking for also do you guys think that at 9.5K I'm getting a good deal???

Second part of my question is that i will be using this car as my everyday car prob about 20 miles per day to work and back. But mainly I will be using for weekend trips that we go on-biking, hikin, camping etc etc... I just want to know what I can expect from this car as far as maint and reliability for that type of use?

Thanks in advance and I can't wait to get into the 4runner group!!!

 

[maine runner]

I have almost the same truck. Have only 89k since it not a daily driver.

I have only 1 button sized (tiny) place of rust on a door and another one adjacent to the rear window on the hatch. I did have my catalytic converter fail but it was covered under the 80k warranty.

Check if any o2 sensors replaced (I had 2) or MAF cleanings done (good maintenance item)

Why was the radiator replaced? Why timing belt, water pump? These are premature and should last >90K. Check the main serpentine belt for cracks. Not a biggie to replace.

I think he is under blue book (kbb.com) and it sounds like a good deal. My truck has been very reliable.

If you have all the records and can see he did the regular things, drives well, interior in good shape, GO FOR IT.

 

[p nut]

My radiator and water pump went at 70k, so it's not unheard of that those items were all replaced.

I would just check under the rig to make sure that there are not leaks (esp. around the rear diff). Run a carfax (because you never know). Put it in 4WD and make sure it works. Also engage the rear locker (if applicable). Other than that, just check the obvious stuff and you should be good to go. Sounds like a good deal at $9.5k. A rig like that would go for $12-13k around here.

 

[KellyJ]

My radiator and water pump went at 70k, so it's not unheard of that those items were all replaced.

x2, except my water pump went at the same time I got my timing belt replaced. I still have my original radiator

 

[E30RUNNER]

I questioned the timing belt being changed at 75K as well but it was more so preventative maintenance. Also the radiator was replaced due to corrosion at the cap area.

So what do you guys think about it being used as an everyday car especially with the mileage and what not.

 

[4rnr4me]

mine is my everyday driver...mileage is gonna be prolly round 15-16 streets and about 20 hiway...nice combination will give u 17-18...thats what im getting...but i do tend to have a heavy foot so maybe a little better

 

[KellyJ]

Definitely a great reliable every day car. Mine has been driven almost daily and on numerous long trips since the day it was purchased and in almost 6 years has a little over 100k on the odo. Mileage is what you'd come to expect for a not old but not that new car, if you do mostly city driving expect to get about 15-17 MPH for about 230-250 miles on a tank or if highway is what you'll be doing you might manage 20 MPG at times, depending on your driving style.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If you keep the truck stock and don't accelerate hard everywhere you go you should get closer 260-280 (18mpg) a tank in the city. I get up to 260 (240 at least) on a good tank with my larger tires and leadfoot.

My mom gets that much with her '99 Limited and on the highway she'll even see about 22mpg (320 a tank) and I use her as a reference since she's a pretty mellow driver and her truck will never be anything beyond stock.

 

[E30RUNNER]

thanks for the responses I'll probably have the truck by the end of the week if it checks out with my mechanic tomorrow. I'll post some pics as soon as I can and will probably be posting more questions about upgrades haha.